Cosmogenic 10Be production records reveal dynamics of geomagnetic dipole moment (GDM) over the Laschamp excursion (20–60 ka)

Abstract

Documenting accurately amplitude and rhythms of geomagnetic variations is a prerequisite to understand the mechanisms triggering geomagnetic excursions and reversals. We present new authigenic 10Be/9Be ratio (Be ratio) results covering the 60–20 ka time interval from equatorial core MD05-2920. The most significant Be ratio peak is located 18 cm above the main relative paleointensity (RPI) minimum recorded in this sequence. These are interpreted as two independent recordings of the geomagnetic dipole moment (GDM) decrease linked to the Laschamp excursion dated at ca 41 ka. The stratigraphic offset is assignable to post-depositional magnetization lock-in processes resulting in time delay of 1.6 ka. The Be ratio and RPI records show comparable asymmetric behavior before and after the dipole low. The Be ratio record is combined with three other series to construct a global record of 10Be paleoproduction variations. This compilation demonstrates the strong coherence of low and mid latitudes data sets and its comparison with 10Be-flux records from polar regions fully supports the hypothesis of a global atmospheric 10Be production doubling during the Laschamp. The Be ratio stack is converted in terms of GDM using both a theoretical model and a reconstruction of GDM values using absolute paleointensities measured on lava flows. Both methods provide similar results. The dipole moment record derived from this approach (BeDM20–60) shows the following characteristics: high field values (>11×1022 Am2) prior to a sharp two-steps dipole decrease until reaching minimum values (1.8±0.7×1022 Am2) between 41.6 and 40.9 ka at the time of the Laschamp excursion. The GDM partly recovers up to values of ∼6.3×1022 Am2, and oscillates in this range, without showing any sharp decreases that could be associated with excursions reported within the 38–20 ka time interval (e.g. the Mono Lake excursion).